Austin Rwandan Community
The Austin Rwandan Community (ARC) is a nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to uniting Rwandans and friends of Rwanda across the region.
Unite Rwandans and friends of Rwanda living in Austin and surrounding areas
Preserve and promote Rwandan culture, traditions, and values
Support community members through networking and mutual assistance
Educate future generations about Rwandan history and heritage
Organize community gatherings, cultural events, and memorial commemorations
Promote unity, remembrance, and resilience within the community
Our Objectives
The Austin Rwandan Community strives to:
Through these efforts, the Austin Rwandan Community continues to grow as a vibrant, supportive, and culturally rich community that connects Rwandans abroad while contributing positively to the diverse fabric of the Austin area.
Together we Can
Austin Rwandan Community
Mission & Vision
Mission
The mission of the Austin Rwandan Community is to unite Rwandans and friends of Rwanda living in the Austin metropolitan area and across Texas by promoting cultural identity, community support, remembrance, and collaboration. Through cultural events, community gatherings, and educational initiatives, the organization works to preserve Rwandan heritage while strengthening connections among members and the broader Austin community.
Vision
Our vision is to build a strong, united, and vibrant Rwandan community in Austin that celebrates its cultural heritage, supports future generations, and contributes positively to the diverse social and cultural life of Texas. The community strives to be a platform where unity, remembrance, and resilience guide its activities and inspire collaboration with other communities.
Leadership / Committee
The Austin Rwandan Community is guided by a committee elected by community members to provide leadership, coordination, and strategic direction for the organization’s activities and initiatives.
The committee is composed of six members, representing the interests and voices of the community.
Together, they oversee community programs, organize cultural and memorial events, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that the organization continues to grow in a transparent and collaborative manner.
The current committee is led by:
President:
SHEMA NZIZA
Working alongside the president, the committee members support community planning, event organization, communication, and long-term development of the Austin Rwandan Community.
Community History Timeline (2013–2026)
2013
The first Kwibuka commemoration is organized in Austin, marking the beginning of the Rwandan community’s remembrance activities in the city.
2014
A Kwibuka monument is established at Casa Marianella, creating a permanent place of remembrance for the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
2015
The community continues to grow, reaching over 100 members and expanding participation in community gatherings.
2016
The Austin Rwandan Community is formally established as an organized community network.
2017
Community engagement grows further with the introduction of friendly games, cultural gatherings, and larger Kwibuka commemorations.
2018
The community begins interacting and collaborating with Rwandan communities across Texas, strengthening regional connections.
2019
A formal community committee is created to provide structure and leadership.
2024
The first official committee election takes place, reinforcing democratic leadership within the community.
2025
The community develops and adopts its organizational bylaws to guide governance and activities.
2026
Kwibuka commemoration expands to the Texas state level, bringing together Rwandan communities from across the state for a unified remembrance event.
Business Info
Address:
Austin TX
Email:
Phone:
info@austirwandancommunity.org
+1 678 830 3419